Atiku Make U-turn Says he is not Leaving PDP

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed social media reports that he has quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement released by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, on Friday, Atiku’s camp described the reports as “false, malicious, and a political hatchet job” meant to deceive the public and create tension among his supporters.

The statement was in response to fresh stories on social media, the majority of them on a Facebook page notorious for peddling half-truths and lies that Atiku had defected from the opposition party.

Ibe dismissed the rumor as a “shameless, crude political hatchet job” orchestrated by irresponsible political actors desperate to create confusion.

“Nigerians, especially the supporters of the Waziri Adamawa, should discount this malicious lie,” the release stated. “It is an obnoxious, annoying tactic worthy of nothing but scorn.” The Atiku group stated unequivocally that former Vice President Atiku remains a “steadfast, bonafide, and loyal member” of the PDP and committed to the principles of the party and the democratic aspirations of the people of Nigeria.

This is not the first time that Atiku’s camp has denied making such claims. They only recently dismissed rumors that he was set to defect to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). This recent denial is a relief to Atiku’s followers and the public that he remains loyal to the PDP and its cause.

In the statement, Ibe also cautioned against attributing relevance to so-called faceless social media sites that traffic in disinformation, and noted that Atiku’s loyalty to the PDP and Nigerian democracy remains unshaken. “Atiku Abubakar is still committed to the values of the PDP and to the democratic hopes of the Nigerian people,” the statement further added.